Current Braves too strong for Future Braves

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Sean Gilmartin made his best pitch to be a late-season call up for the Atlanta Braves.

The Mississippi Braves pitcher tossed a couple innings of one-run ball for the Future Braves, a collection of all-star players from the Atlanta Braves’ four minor league teams. The so-called Futures on Tuesday took on the Atlanta Braves, who notched a 4-3 win in their final spring training game.

The Braves open the season Thursday in New York against the Mets.

Gilmartin’s sole blemish was a monstrous home run by Braves second baseman Dan Uggla. But any electricity Gilmartin, a 21-year-old former Florida State standout, had was overshadowed by the electricity in the sky, as the game was called with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Future Braves took an early 1-0 lead, which Uggla tied with his blast. The Future Braves then jumped to a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth.

However, they squandered the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning following a trio of extra base hits from three starting Braves — a double by Michael Bourn, a triple by Martin Prado and a double by Brian McCann.

Tuesday’s game also marked an attendance record for Coolray Field. More than 10,500 fans packed into the stadium, which is set to kick off its fourth season hosting the Gwinnett Braves, the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate.

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, who retired following the 2010 season, returned to the dugout as the manager of the Futures.